Beware differences in hotel wifi policies says the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). ASTA is urging members to evaluate what, if any, operational changes they will make to their business models, as major hotel chains begin putting new policies in place to restrict free Wi-Fi offers when customers book through travel agents.
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| photo by Dana Spiegal via Flickr |
ASTA also said it is also providing a comparison to its members of these new policies. The policies range from free wifi provided to all guests regardless of agency booking method or loyalty program by Hyatt, to Starwood’s policy to allow agency customers who are preferred guests to enjoy Wi-Fi if the agent makes the booking at SPG.com.
ASTA notes Marriott’s new policy that does not allow its non-elite rewards members to enjoy free Wi-Fi if they use a travel agent.
“Let’s be clear, ASTA’s members are against any policy that limits a consumer’s freedom of choice in how they purchase a hotel room, a cruise, an airline ticket or any other means of travel,” said Zane Kerby ASTA president and CEO.
“Consumers should be free to book using the channel of their choice rather than being forced to trade off wifi services—now an essential tool for virtually every traveler—against the other benefits of having professional assistance when booking travel,” he said.
The chart also breaks out the brands within each hotel company’s portfolio that are and are not impacted by the new policies.
For more information, visit www.asta.org